Border Tensions Surge: Civilians in LoC Villages Suffer Amid India-Pakistan Conflict

In the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, border villages in Jammu and Kashmir are bearing the brunt of intensified conflict. In the Uri district, local residents face mounting distress, suffering extensive damage to their livelihoods as shelling from across the Line of Control (LoC) wrecks havoc on their communities. Many shops have reportedly been targeted in these attacks.

Sajjad Ahmed, a resident of the affected border village, expressed the severe hardship faced by the community. 'Those with the means can leave, but we, the impoverished, are trapped,' he lamented. 'The shelling must cease.' Standing before the ruins of his shop, Ahmed described the shelling as 'target killing' of civilians, decrying it as a grave 'injustice.' His shop, which he found in ruins after a night of shelling, represented a catastrophic loss.

Tensions surged after India executed Operation Sindoor, targeting nine locations in response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 dead. A security blackout was imposed in Jammu following sirens and explosions near the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts. The Border Security Forces thwarted an infiltration attempt along the International Border, with further skirmishes reported and Indian forces downing two Pakistani drones amid heavy artillery exchanges.

(With inputs from agencies.)